Need to know
Pep Guardiola will face old foe Mikel Arteta in the Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday afternoon
Pep Guardiola will be in the dugout on Sunday(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
The reason why Pep Guardiola will be on the touchline vs Arsenal despite ban
- Why was Pep Guardiola banned?: Guardiola triggered an automatic two-match suspension after receiving his sixth booking of the 2025/26 domestic season. This occurred after he confronted fourth official Lewis Smith over a perceived foul on Jérémy Doku.
- Reason why he can be in the dugout against Arsenal: Unlike player suspensions, which are typically cross-competition in domestic football, managerial touchline bans under current FA regulations are competition-specific for cup finals. The Carabao Cup final is treated as a ‘stand-alone’ showpiece event regarding disciplinary sanctions for coaching staff.
- Where will the ban be served?: The two-match ban applies specifically to the Premier League and the FA Cup. Guardiola already served the first part of his suspension during the 1-1 draw against West Ham on March 14. The second game of the ban will be served during Manchester City’s upcoming FA Cup quarter-final in April rather than the cup final.
- Carabao Cup final date and time: The first cup final of the 2025/26 season will take place at 4.30pm on Sunday, March 22, 2026. The match between City and Arsenal will take place at Wembley Stadium.
- UK TV channel: The match is being broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage starts at 3.30pm.
- Live stream: You can watch the game on the Sky Go app, available for Sky Sports subscribers on mobile, tablet, and laptop. Viewers can also tune in on NOW TV via a Day or Month Membership on the NOW app or website.
- How to watch in the US: The match will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+. Coverage typically begins 30 minutes before kick-off.
- Team news: Arsenal are monitoring the fitness of Bukayo Saka, while Manchester City remain without long-term injured Josko Gvardiol but will have Erling Haaland in the starting lineup.
- Head-to-head record: This is the 215th meeting between the sides. Arsenal lead the all-time record with 100 wins, compared to Manchester City’s 65, with 49 draws. In their most recent encounter in September 2025, the teams played out a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
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